Last season’s Devil Rookie of the Year candidate is skating with his past – and he hopes, future — teammates in informal sessions at South Mountain Arena, but after training camp officially opens tomorrow, he will be banned from campus until he signs a new contract.

“There are still a few more days to work it out,” Morrison said.

It doesn’t seem as if it will happen immediately.

“I’m here, and I want to get it done. I don’t have to be here. I’m here in good faith to show them that this is where I want to be,” Morrison said.

Morrison made a base salary of $450G last season, although bonuses brought that figure to more than $800G. Now, the restricted free agent without arbitration rights is looking for a salary similar to that of his former Michigan linemate, Bill Muckalt, who just signed with Vancouver for $2.9 million over three years. The Devils probably aren’t offering more than $750G per season, since the gap is believed to be sizable.

Morrison finished second in rookie scoring last season with 46 points, 10 more than Muckalt. *Devils are giving Dave Maley an opportunity to work out with the team in camp, but he is not expected to compete seriously for a position. The 36-year-old ex-Devil has not played since retiring to become an agent in 1993-94.